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Cornwall to get more tri-service officers

Published
by
Sarah Yeoman at 3:43pm 7th November 2018.

More tri-service officers are going to be helping to keep more communities safe across Cornwall.

They will be in areas where the police, fire and ambulance services have a limited presence and where it is difficult to deploy a resource from a single agency basis given current financial restraints.

It follows a successful pilot scheme and the posts have been joint funded by the three emergency services.

Once training is completed, the existing tri-service officers in Bude, Liskeard and Hayle will be joined by colleagues in: St Just, St Ives, Perranporth, Fowey/Polruan, Looe, Lostwithiel, St Dennis.

"Independent evaluation of the role has taken place and has evidenced a clear benefit to all three emergency services.

"Earlier this year the public backed my plans to invest in new ways for our communities to become safer.

"I promised people that if they paid more they would get more in return and the roll-out of TSSOs across Cornwall is the start of that, as is the development of community responders in Devon.

"I expect to see more of both being deployed in the future."

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez

They will pick up their workload from police neighbourhood teams but when they attend will give advice to cover all aspects of community safety and prevention such as advice on anti-social behaviour, installation of a smoke alarm, or any medical referral/advice.

They do not have the same powers as a PCSO but are trained medically, to a co-responder standard, and receive firefighter training. They also have powers under the community safety accreditation scheme.

They also have instant access to police, fire and ambulance IT systems to enable a better immediate understanding of the situation.

"I am incredibly proud that Cornwall is leading on this project nationally.

"The pilot was brilliant one, and it's quite right that it is being expanded to cover more areas.

"The individuals in the roles so far have been exceptional in the service they have delivered.

"We have new ones currently in training now and, much like the PCSO's required when they first arrived, once people get used to seeing them and understanding the role they have they will be seen as vital to keeping our communities safe."